California asks two Central Coast taxpayers to pay up

October 17, 2012

California is trying to shame 500 businesses and people into paying their delinquent taxes, including two individuals from the Central Coast who combined owe more than $680,000.

As part of its collection tactic, the state posted its annual list last week of delinquent taxpayers.

Every debtor on this year’s list owes more than $100,000 in personal or corporate income tax. Dozens owe more than $1 million in outstanding taxes and the list topper exceeds $10 million.

Among the 500 people and businesses that owe the most in back taxes, the State of California Franchise Tax Board has filed tax liens against former Central Coast developer Ronald Hertel for $360,525 and Jason Bath of Morro Bay for $209,998.

The local tax delinquents are contributors to California’s estimated $10 billion tax gap which is the difference between taxes owed and taxes actually paid. It’s a gap the state says it is working hard to close.

Since inception of this program in 2007, the California Franchise Tax Board has recovered more than $175 million in revenue.

” Eliot Ness (April 19, 1903 – May 16, 1957) was an American Prohibition agent, famous for his efforts to enforce Prohibition in Chicago, Illinois, and the leader of a legendary team of law enforcement agents nicknamed The Untouchables.